Sports
IGSDA Strikes Partnership With LA Galaxy
The Independent
Grassroots Sports Development Association, IGSDA, Nigeria, has formed an alliance with America’s Major League’s, MLS, Football Club, LA Galaxy through an Abeokuta based football management and sponsorship organisation, Churchill Oliseh Agency.
According to the president and founder of IGSDA, Ambassador Miebi Ogunu in a chat on Monday, the partnership will see the grassroots association source for young talents for the feeders team of the Amercia clubside.
He lauded the new relationship and described it as a veritable platform for talented players from Nigeria to play in the United States and other countries across the globe. The President stated that IGSDA’s coaches also stand to exploit the platform by discovering new talents and traning them in line with international best practices in football.
Ogunu said, “In tandem with our vision to discover, develop and distribute talented young players for local and international consumption, IGSDA is calling for partnership with clubs and coaches within the country to extract maximum benefit from the platform”.
“So far, he continued, a handful of players discovered by IGSDA, who have fulfilled the required conditions for the LA Galaxy FC would be arriving the agency’s transitional camp in Lagos soon, where they would be given proper orientation and counselling before moving to foreign clubs.
On the association’s readiness to feeding the foreign team with talents, Ogunu said, “we have been organising local friendly matches within the 23 local government areas in Rivers State to select good players that would meet the standards of the Churchwill Oliseh Agency.
‘Our nucleus team in the state is named the Dream Team, and they have played several matches in which they posted brilliant performaces. Our last match was against scored giant FC of Rumuokwurusi which we won by a lone goal scored by Golden Eaglets invitee, Anselm Igbo”.
The president disclosed that the dream team will play Sharks FC’s Feeder Team on Friday and called on interested youngsters eager to make a career in the game to explore opportunities available within the association.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”